Bill > HR3114

This bill establishes a comprehensive framework for automatically and petitionally sealing certain criminal records, with a focus on nonviolent offenses and marijuana-related convictions. Under the automatic sealing provisions, records will be sealed one year after an individual completes their sentence for nonviolent offenses, and arrest records will be automatically sealed if no charges are filed within 180 days or if the individual is acquitted. The bill defines specific criteria for who qualifies, excluding individuals with serious violent crimes, sex offenses, national security-related offenses, and those with multiple felony convictions. For offenses not automatically sealed, individuals can petition a court to seal their records after fulfilling their sentence, with the court weighing public safety interests against the individual's rehabilitation potential. The bill provides significant protections for sealed records, preventing their disclosure in most background checks and allowing individuals to legally state they were not arrested or convicted of the sealed offense. Law enforcement and certain high-security employment background checks retain limited access to sealed records. The legislation also includes provisions for notifying individuals of their sealing eligibility, creating a standardized petition process, and requiring annual reporting on sealing petition outcomes, with a goal of supporting individual rehabilitation and reducing long-term barriers caused by criminal records.

Justice

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/3114/all-info